The verse in Joel 2:25 refers to God’s promise to restore what was lost or destroyed by locust plagues in ancient Israel. Locusts were a common problem in ancient times, capable of completely devastating crops and bringing famine. This verse comes in the context of Joel telling the people of Israel to repent and return to God so that He would restore the years of crops that were eaten by swarms of locusts.
This verse points to some key truths about how God restores:
God is able to redeem lost time and restore lost blessings
The locust plagues served as discipline from God, but He promises to restore and redeem the years that were lost. Even time that seems wasted or destroyed can be redeemed by God. He is able to bring good out of situations that seem like total loss. He can bless people beyond what was lost. There is always hope in God.
“And I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you.” (Joel 2:25)
Restoration comes through repentance and returning to God
Joel makes it clear that God’s promise of restoration is contingent on the people turning back to Him. If they repent and follow His ways again, He is eager to restore their blessings. Often restoration comes when people acknowledge where they have gone astray and make concerted efforts to realign their lives with God.
“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.” (Joel 2:12-13)
God restores through His grace and abundant love
Ultimately restoration comes not from human efforts but from God’s grace and merciful character. He restores because He is abounding in steadfast love. His restoration goes beyond what was lost, showing His grace. Even when people turn from Him, He remains eager to pour out His love and blessings to those who return to Him.
“The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” (Lamentations 3:25-26)
God restores broken relationships
Not only material things but broken relationships can be restored by God. Locust plagues represented broken fellowship between God and His people. But He promised that by repenting, relationships would be renewed, bringing joy and celebration again.
“You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame.” (Joel 2:26)
God restores our joy in Him
Often when blessings are lost, it leads to despair and loss of joy. But God’s restoration goes beyond the physical to restore joy and praise to Him again. The process of restoration renews our perspective and appreciation for God’s blessings.
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)
God restores us to righteousness
Ultimately God’s restoration is about restoring His people to a right relationship with Him again. More than external blessings, God cares about the state of people’s hearts towards Him. As Peter says, times of restoration are “times of refreshing…from the presence of the Lord.” (Acts 3:19)
“And I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.” (Isaiah 1:26)
God’s restoration comes through Jesus
In the New Testament, God’s greatest restoration is through the redemptive work of Jesus on the cross. Jesus spoke of restoring all things (Matthew 17:11) and making all things new (Revelation 21:5). Through Jesus, our relationship with God is restored and all that was lost because of sin is redeemed.
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.” (Ephesians 1:7)
God’s restoration is not always immediate or partial in this life
While God is able to redeem lost time, often His restoration is a process that takes time or may even await eternity. Some losses will only be restored when Christ returns. So we live in hope and faith, trusting in God’s ability and willingness to ultimately make all things right.
“We ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved.” (Romans 8:23-24a)
We have a role in the process of restoration
Though restoration depends on God’s grace, we also have a part to play by aligning our lives to His will. As we grow in faith and obedience, we position ourselves to receive all God desires for us. Yielding to His work in our hearts enables full restoration.
“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)
God’s restoration gives us hope for the future
No matter how much we have lost, God is able to restore joy, purpose, and fruitfulness again, often going beyond what was before. His desire and ability to redeem failures and losses gives us confident hope for the future.
“And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” (Isaiah 35:10)
In Christ, believers can have assurance that God will heal all brokenness and restore all that the enemy has stolen. His grace is able to redeem lost time, broken relationships, and stolen joy. As we walk with Him, He renews purpose, blessing, righteousness and delight in Him. While His restoration is not always immediate, it is complete in eternity. As we hope in Him, we are filled with confident expectation that His restoration will one day make all things new.